Ground Beef and Broccoli is a quick, family-friendly dinner loaded with flavor. This easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes with a sweet-savory sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Ground beef and broccoli is the perfect weeknight meal!
Ben and I love my Broccoli Beef Recipe for an easy dinner with Asian takeout vibes. But the last time I put it on our meal plan, I realized the steak I thought I had stashed in the freezer only existed in my imagination. Oops.
Luckily, I did have a package of ground beef, so I took inspiration from my Ground Beef Stir Fry and that’s how this ground beef and broccoli came to be. Call it destiny, call it kismet; I call it delish!
This easy stir fry has the sticky sweet-and-savory sauce you love from classic beef and broccoli (or Crockpot Beef and Broccoli), but the ground beef keeps it budget-friendly and kid-friendly too. Let’s talk about what makes it a keeper:
- Meal Prep Friendly Recipe. I love a stir fry for meal prep! (This Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry is another favorite.) They store and reheat beautifully and when you add brown rice, you’ve got a complete and satisfying meal.
- Quick and Easy. Minimal prep and short cooking time means this ground beef and broccoli recipe is on the table in well under 30 minutes!
- Homemade Sauce. Skipping the store-bought stir fry sauce makes this recipe taste better and limits the added sugars and fillers. (My Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli is made with homemade sauce too!)
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
For the Sauce:
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce. Low-sodium keeps it from being too salty. For a gluten-free option, swap in tamari sauce.
- Maple Syrup, Honey, or Brown Sugar. To balance the savory flavor.
- Cornstarch. Thickens the sauce so it coats the ground beef and broccoli.
- Sesame Oil. Toasted sesame oil has a fantastic nutty flavor for that little extra something-something in the sauce.
For the Stir Fry:
- Lean Ground Beef. If you use a higher fat ground beef, you may want to drain off some of the grease.
- Broccoli. Cut it into evenly sized pieces so they’re all equally tender when the stir fry is done.
- Ginger and Garlic. Two essentials for stir fries! I love the warmth fresh ginger adds. It’s so worth it!
- Red Pepper Flakes. Adjust the amount to your palate’s preferences.
- Green Onions. You’ll use the white parts in the stir fry and the greens for garnish.
- Sesame Seeds. Optional, but I like the subtle crunch they add.
- Cooked Rice. The perfect base to soak up the sauce. White rice is the classic or use Instant Pot Brown Rice.
How to Make Ground Beef and Broccoli
Mix the Sauce (photo 1). Whisk the soy sauce, water, sweetener, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
Brown the Beef (photo 2). Cook it in hot oil with salt and pepper until browned, then remove from the pan.
Cook the Broccoli (photo 3). Stir fry until crisp-tender; add a splash of water if needed to steam it a bit. Stir in ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
Finish (photo 4). Return beef to the pan and pour in the sauce. Cook until thickened. Stir in green onions, adjust seasoning, and serve over rice. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Make It Spicy. Serve with chili crisp or add sriracha to the sauce. You can also add extra red pepper flakes!
- Add More Vegetables. Swap half the broccoli for sliced bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or carrots.
What to Serve with Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Fried Rice. Level up your rice game with Easy Egg Fried Rice or Healthy Cauliflower Fried Rice.
- Other Grains. Swap the usual rice for protein-packed quinoa.
- Asian-Inspired Apps. Make it a takeout at home feast with Air Fryer Egg Rolls or Pork Dumplings.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
Video
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Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup honey, or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Stir Fry:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or other neutral high temperature cooking oil divided
- 1 pound lean ground beef I used 93% lean
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 head broccoli chopped into florets, about 3 cups or 10 ounces
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger from about a 2-inch piece
- 2 cloves garlic minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes plus additional to taste
- 1 small bunch bunch green onions thinly sliced, white/light green parts and dark green parts divided
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional for serving
- Cooked brown or white rice for serving
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, maple syrup (or honey or brown sugar), cornstarch, and sesame oil until smooth. Keep near the stove.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the beef, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.
- Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring often, until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. If the florets need a little help softening, splash in 2 tablespoons water, cover the pan for 30 to 60 seconds, then uncover and toss.
- Add the ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the center and stir constantly until very fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Return the beef and any collected juices to the pan. Give the sauce a quick stir to recombine and pour it over the beef and broccoli. Add the white and light green parts of the green onions. Cook, tossing constantly, until the sauce is glossy and thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water as needed.
- Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with the green onion tops. Taste and adjust with more red pepper flakes or a pinch of salt if you like. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Microwave individual portions until warmed through or heat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or beef broth.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
I made this recipe tonight and can’t recommend it enough! I’m always looking for something to do with ground beef besides hamburgers and tacos and this was delicious, easy to make, and the recipe was simple and easy to follow. I loved it!
This recipe was easy to pull together and very delicious! I will definitely make this again!
So glad to hear, Sharon. Thank you!
Easy recipe that comes together quickly once the veggies are prepped. It got rave reviews from whole family! I did reduce the maple syrup to 1 Tb, swapped arrow root for cornstarch, and used cauliflower rice. Next time I plan to add mushrooms, as recommended in the recipe for ways to customize. Total winner!
Yay! Love to hear that, Joan! Thank you and it looks great!
Super delicious and super easy to make! Such a great flavor and I love that you can make this with ground beef instead of steak. I may even try it with chicken next time. The sauce is delicious! Thank you for another winner recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the dish, Veronica! Thank you!
Can I use cauliflower instead of broccoli? Will it work the same?
Hi Fran, yes, it should work! Enjoy!
amazing… directions was.easy to follow.. taste 5 stars. I didn’t have corn starch. I had use arrow root. it was amazing. thank you. great meal prep aa.well..
Yay! So glad to hear, Shannan!
I happen to have broccoli in my fridge with no set plans for it, then Erin’s email with this recipe hit my inbox! Perfect! I love it when that happens. Easy to prepare and fantastic flavor. There were no leftovers with this one. Will definitely put this one on the rotation!
Yay! Thank you Paula!
This was absolutely delicious! My favorite thing I’ve made this week. I’m still more of a beginner and this was a huge confidence booster. It seriously tasted like something from a really good Chinese restaurant.
Great to hear, Shanice! Thank you!
My husband and boys all want this added to our regular rotation! So good and so easy!
So glad you all enjoyed it, Jenn! Thank you!
It’s better than Chinese takeout Beef and Broccoli Stirfry!
The only change to the recipe was that I used ground bison instead of beef, which made it slightly gamier tasting. Defintely don’t skip the sesame oil. This is the secret ingredient. I would definitely make this again–it was a hit with the entire family!
Love it! Thanks Amy!
I can’t recommend this recipe! It was so good, quick and easy. It was a favorite among my family!
Thank you Kylie!
This looks very good! Thanks for sending it to my Email address. I can’t wait to make it & Taste it!
Hope you enjoyed it, LaVonne!
I made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! I am always looking for healthy recipes I can change to make low carb for my daughter who is diabetic! I switched the maple syrup for sugar free maple syrup, used tapioca flour instead of corn starch and used cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. It was a big hit!! My daughter said it was better than eating in a restaurant!! Next time I think I’ll try adding some shredded cabbage. This is the perfect versatile recipe!! Thank you!!
Yay! So glad it worked well for you, Brenda!
I made this with leftover roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower, so veggies were not a vibrant color but taste was fine & good way to use leftovers! It was a bit too salty for me, so I would omit the salt on the beef, as low sodium soy sauce would be enough for me. (I didn’t have scallions) But otherwise was tasty & I would make it again!
Looks fabulous, Marti!Thank you for sharing!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Great to hear! Thank you Willie!
Delicious and so quick and easy! A family favorite!!
Thank you Stacy!
Just made this flavorful dish for my family and it is a hit! Delicious, nutritious and easy to make -the only modification I made was leaving out the sesame seeds. This will definitely be on rotation for our weekly dinners!
So glad to hear, a j! Thank you!
Great recipe! Used ground chicken instead of beef since that is what I had on hand. Easy recipe —will make again!
So glad to hear, Susie! Thank you!
Delicious and easy. Liked by husband and two teenagers. I halved the amount of ginger as my husband is pretty sensitive to its taste – still plenty gingery to ginger-loving me.
So glad you enjoyed it, Sarah! Looks great!
Made this today and my husband and I both loved it. Very easy and tastes just like broccoli beef with flank steak but much more affordable with ground beef. The strong ginger flavor is our favorite. I will make this again for sure
Looks amazing, Gloria! Thanks for sharing!
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly this came together! What a delicious recipe that we absolutely loved and will definitely be making again!
So glad you enjoyed it, Rebecca! Looks delish! Thanks for sharing!
Made this for the first time today, and I LOVED it! Perfect taste and consistency, and my guest for the weekend loved it enough to ask for the recipe ☺️
So glad to hear, Erin! Thank you!
This recipe was quick to put together with everyday ingredients so no extra trip to the grocery store. My husband loved it. I will make it again.
So glad it was a hit! Thank you Janice!
This was quick, easy, and DID take like a restaurant entree. We made the sauce with brown sugar, and it was definitely unique, notthe usual stir-fry sauce. We’ll definitely make it again.
So glad to hear, Barb! Thank you!
Very unique flavor to the sauce, and we will definitely make it again!
We use brown sugar and a liberal sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds on the top. Delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it, Barb! Looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
I would make this recipe again. My husband and I thoroughly loved this recipe. Instead of the broccoli I used a stir fry veggie mix which added additional flavors.
Great to hear! Thank you!
Super easy and delicious. I would definitely use low sodium soy sauce and not add salt to the meal. Crisp broccoli and thick sauce was perfect. Everyone loved it.
Looks great!
I would make this recipe again. It was super delicious. I would use low sodium soy sauce and not add salt
So glad to hear, Nelleke! Thank you!
Delicious and fast!
Thank you Sarah!
We loved this! Quick and easy week-night dinner that will be used in the rotation. I used ground chicken instead of beef as another reviewer said they did. Will likely cut honey in half and skip green onions next time.
Glad it worked well with the chicken, Dana! Thank you!
This recipe was a total win for our family. It was kid-friendly, simple, and came together quickly, which made it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. I also loved that it didn’t require anything complicated or time-consuming. Definitely one I’ll be adding into our regular rotation.
So glad to hear, Cathy! Thank you!
This worked exactly as written, thanks! We just finished and my husband said, “you can make this anytime!” It was an easy recipe to follow. I topped with toasted cashews. Yum
So glad to hear, Madeline! Thank you!
This was an easy and tasty dish. I used ground venison instead of ground beef (100% lean). It was a great dinner. I certainly will make this again. Next time I will switch up some veggies add an egg
Thank you
So glad the venison worked, James! Thank you!
Super easy and fast spin on takeout beef and broccoli! Yummy, family friendly weeknight meal.
So glad to hear, Anna! Thank you!
Made this for dinner tonight. SO easy and good! Before I mixed it all together for my husband and I, I made plates for my 3 and 6 year olds with each component separate…so it was great for the whole family! I’ll definitely make this again for a weeknight dinner after work.
Looks great, Nicole! Thank you for sharing!
Quick. Easy. Nutritious. Delicious. This recipe was straightforward and easy to follow. Every time I have cooked veggies on the stovetop they turn out either over done and soggy or not cooked enough to suit the raw veggie haters. The instructions for sauteing the broccoli for a few minutes and then steaming shortly was surprisingly a total game changer for me! I did make this recipe with ground turkey as we don’t usually eat ground beef.
So glad it worked well with the ground turkey, Elyanna! Thank you!
I made this last night for dinner. It was a hit and came together super quick. I doubled the recipe since I have a large family and wanted some leftover too. Added extra broccoli cos my girls prefer to eat vegetables in meals like this. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing recipe. This is definitely going into rotation for sure!
So glad to hear, Favour! Thank you!
Delicious and easy recipe! I made a couple adjustments but it turned out great. I am doing whole30 so I served over cauliflower rice, used coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce), and used a date paste to sweeten… turned out great! My family gobbled it up… no leftovers!
Looks fabulous, Alison! Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely LOVED this recipe. Super fast and easy and omg was it better than any takeout. FABULOUS!!!
Thank you Christina!
Forgot to attach the picture — already can’t wait to make this again!
Looks fabulous, Christina! Thank you for sharing!
Forgot to attach the picture — already can’t wait to make this again!
Looks fantastic! Thank you!
My family all enjoyed this! Thanks!
#wellplatedcookingchallenge
Thank you Emiley!
This was delicious! The sauce is so good, I can’s wait to try it on chicken…and mushrooms/veggies. We don’t eat beef often at home (save it as an occasional treat when we eat out), but this will go on the regular rotation. Also, easy cleanup with only a pan, a measuring cup, and a bowl to wash after dinner. Great weeknight meal!
So glad to hear, Michelle! Thank you!
I would make this recipe again. My family really liked it. I found it a bit salty so I would not add the extra salt. You could also substitute other beef like steak and it would be good
Thanks for the feedback, Lynda! Glad you were still able to enjoy it!
This was an easy recipe to follow and came together quickly. The recipe tastes great and was enjoyed by all my family.
Looks great, Mary! Thank you for sharing!
Sounds Yummy. I love the quick ease of stir-fry’s. Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh? I like to keep frozen veggies on hand to use instead of fresh because dinner plans change at the last minute many times since it’s just me and hubby. I use a lot of frozen veggies to prevent waste of food (due to spoilage when not used in time) and of course my money, with the way grocery prices keep going up.
Hi Beverly, I haven’t tested it with frozen broccoli but I don’t see why it couldn’t work. Sometimes frozen broccoli can come out a lot softer and tender, so I’d keep that in mind when cooking. Let me know how it goes!
Delicious and easy! Thanks so much.
Glad to hear! Thank you Jocelyn!
This recipe was quick and delicious! I used gardein beef crumbles and served over a mix of brown rice and cauliflower rice. As a last minute addition, we decided to add a fried egg on top and served with hot sauce! Will definitely add to our recipe rotation.
Love that idea! Thank you Margaret!
My entire family loved this recipe! It came together lightning fast, and my 12-year-old daughter has requested that I make it every week. Thank you, Erin!
Love to hear that, Emily! Thank you!
Just made this recipe last night . it was so flavorful and just the right amount of spices. Will definitely be making it again .. Also so quick to make and minimal cleanup
Wonderful, Shawn! Looks great!
I made this for dinner last night, and it turned out great! It actually only took 25 minutes! I am always frustrated when a recipe claims to be quick and ends up taking much longer. I followed the recipe almost exactly as written; the only small change I made was to leave the beef in the pan while the broccoli cooked. I would definitely make this recipe again!
So glad to hear, Joyce! Looks great!
This was easy to make. So delicious and nutritious!
So happy to hear it Diane, thank you!
Erin! My husband and I are thrilled with this recipe and it will now be on our permanent rotation. This dish is bursting with flavor and so easy. I bought and minced ginger for the first time! So have to find more of your recipes that use ginger for next week.
Your cooking club idea is so neat and I look forward to more each month.
I am so glad you are enjoying it, Erin! Photo looks great!
Loved this recipe and i’ll be adding it in on heavy rotation. It was so easy to make and easily customizable (I added mushrooms and carrots because they were in my fridge and need to be used.) Made this on Sunday and had it for lunch for 4 days. I used honey and will do so again. I served it with a trader joe’s bag of brown rice to keep with the quick and easy nature of this recipe and it was a huge hit. Thanks Erin for another great recipe!
This looks fabulous, Heather! Love the additions made!
We swapped the rice for rice noodles and added baby corn, snap peas, and mushrooms for a veggie boost. Very simple, and a great way to get lots of healthy into one bite!
Great to hear, Christine! Thank you!
This recipe was perfect as we wanted take out and decided to try this recipe. WOW!! we loved the ease of making and the flavor was so good. Of course, I had to add more red pepper flakes since hubs likes spicy. Amazing the amount of flavor using fresh ginger, just wish there was an easier way to mince. Definitely going to make this again.
Thank you Carol!
We enjoyed it, doubled the sauce as we like ours extra saucy. Definitely will make again, might try it with ground chicken next time. I found it a bit salty for my tastes but my son thought it was fine. Used frozen broccoli as that was what I had, next time will try it with fresh! Nice, quick and easy with ingredients we always have on hand, will become a staple in our house for sure.
So glad the frozen broccoli worked! Thank you Danielle!
This was so easy and delicious! It’s a great weeknight recipe and will be on frequent rotation.
Love to hear that, Chrissy! Thank you!
Loved how quick and easy this was! It seemed a little salty to our family so next time I would leave out the extra salt. Another great use for ground beef!
Thanks for the feedback, Ashley!
This recipe was wonderful! I used venison cut into strips instead of the hamburger. My husband hunts so that was on hand. So easy and comes together quick. Sorry I didn’t get a picture.
Sounds tasty! Thank you Lynne!
An easy to follow recipe for a quick and tasty weeknight family meal! Everyone enjoyed the flavours of the dinner and every plate was left clean! The only thing I will possibly do the next time I make it is make a little bit more sauce to mix in with the beef and broccoli mixture.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing, Andrea! Looks great!
This was delicious and quick. A great family weeknight dinner!
Thank you Joanna!
This was really tasty! It came together quickly, so it was perfect for a weekday dinner.
Great to hear, Darlene! Thank you!
This was so delicious and easy to make. Perfect weekday meal for a busy family!
Thank you Katie!
Seriously restaurant quality! Love how simple and quick this was, yet still so flavorful. Will be going in the regular rotation.
Thank you Michelle!
Made this recipe and loved it! I let out the salt and only had ground dried ginger so used 1/3 of that instead of fresh. Also doubled the recipe to have enough for my large family. I served this with fried rice and a mushroom veggie stir fry!
Looks great, Harley! Thank you for sharing!
yummy yummy yummy
Thanks!
So good! I have made it with both ground beef and turkey and loved it! Super easy for a weeknight, too so a win for everyone!
So glad to hear, Adrienne!
So good and healthy. Wish there was more sauce!
Will definitely make this again. Thx.
Looks like a great mea, C Allen! Thanks for sharing!
I think we’ll be adding this to our regular meal rotation! It was quick and simple, but packed with flavor. It also makes great leftovers for lunch!
So glad to hear, April! Thank you!
My 6 year old rated it “100 out if 10”. A weeknight winner in our house. Easy and versatile to use whatever veggies you have. Thank you!
Love that! Thank you Kristen!
We enjoyed the flavor of the sauce and having ground beef as the meat! Next time I’d want to make more sauce and cut my broccoli pieces smaller and it would be perfect!
So glad to hear, Jenna! Thank you!
This was delicious and my 16-year-old son loved it! I sprinkled the plated yumminess with more scallions and sesame seeds. I also used my wok which is always fun!
So glad to hear, Beth! Thank you!
Quick to whip up, simple ingredients, healthy and very tasty! The whole family loved it. This will be on my rotation now. Thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Monika! Looks so good!
LOVED this recipe – the simple sauce is the bomb. Made exactly as you have here but plan to make again with different veggies, aka snow peas, carrots…or even do a chicken cashew. I will for sure give you a tag on social. No need to order out Chinese with this recipe. Thank you!
Great job! Looks fantastic, Christine! Thank you!
Simple, quick and delicious! My first time using maple syrup instead of honey for a dish like this and it was a great change up. I’ll be making this again!
So happy to hear, Christina! Looks amazing!
My husband loves ground beef, so this was perfect for him! I added a green pepper and some chile de arbol peppers to crank up the heat. Delicious and so easy!
Love the additions, Laurie! Looks fabulous!
Very easy and tasty! Great for a weeknight and will definitely be making it again.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Julie! Thank you!
I made this to serve at a small dinner party, and got rave reviews from all!! So easy to prepare. I added extra broccoli and red pepper strips, and served it with those salad topper crispy wonton strips!
So happy to hear, Sandy! Thank you!
I would make this recipe again. Very flavorful. Took me longer than 25 minutes though. I used ground turkey because that’s what I had. I’ll use turkey again
Thank you Chris!
We absolutely loved it!
Thank you Shirley!